Problems using people's names

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I think that it is a social thing that you are supposed to use the other person's name when you are talking to them. It doesn't feel natural at all to me, I've really had to work on it. I hate it when I'm asked what my name is too because I have a very unusual name and people usually have to ask me several times before they get it right and make me repeat it several times whhich makes me feel awkward.

I never know anybody by their name. My neighbor I have known for over 2 years is still "the neighbor lady".

I feel really uncomfortable using people's names. I always have. Even when I'm typing an e-mail to someone I cringe every time I write the opening line Hi (insert name). I worry that people will think that I'm odd, or impersonal if I don't use their name when I'm greeting them, so I've been working on it.
I also don't like hearing my own name. Especially, when it's the name of a character on a TV show or movie. I've gotten so uncomfortable about this that I've left the room when my name is said repetitively during a show or a movie. Thankfully, I don't have a very popular name!

All of the above.

One time my friend asked me if I even knew his name, since he had never heard me say it. Also it annoys me when people use my name "in vain." Like when my dad has to say my name at the beginning of every sentence when he's talking to me, even when it's obvious that he has my attention.

So why is this? What is the big deal about us using other's names?

its too intimate. . .or an obvious attempt to dominate

Not too big a problem if I can remember the persons name but I do find it a bit uncomfortable.
I can get someone's name embarrassingly wrong
I have been unable to tell somebody something because I am unable to remember or do not know the name of the third party I need to refer to, to say what I need to say.

Wow, so many things that I thought were just me are really common here! I have problems using names for the reasons others have mentioned, either I'm afraid I've got the wrong name (because of my bad memory of names and my face-blindness), or I'm afraid that I'm addressing someone with the wrong level of formality (first name vs. Mr. or Ms. or Dr.)

Yes, a lot of this sounds familiar to me, too. I rarely use people's names - it feels odd and awkward when I try to. And I'm always terrified I've got the wrong name, too.

I always had the same problem in my childhood. Gladly, I don't anymore, because I was forced to exercise calling people by their respective names when I changed school often.
I know why it was hard for me once: Calling someone by his or her name made the impression on me that I was invading their personal space. It felt as if I was telling everybody a very juicy secret about that person or that I took something very dear away from them.

It's nice to read that there are others who dislike being called by their name. It still irks me at times and I can't explain why I feel that way.

I feel awkward using peoples' names to get their attention. I usually just stand nearby until they notice I'm there and then start talking.

I have a problem in so far as -

If someone tells me they think your name is Bill, then I am properly introduced to you, and your name is Frank. I will forever be confused as to your name, and not call you by your name incase I get it wrong. It never full asserts itself as to which one of the two you are. It becomes a 50/50 guess from then on. Doesnt seem to happen with anything else, only peoples names. This might be a dyslexia thing though.

Does anyone else get that?

I also worry about the formailty thing, when Mr Smith has told me to call him Jim, I still have a problem.

I develop nicknames for everybody that I care about - even my cats. My husband is "muffin" - to most people this just seems like a sappy endearment, but it's actually my internal label for him. I'll cal him "muffin" in an otherwise completely objective conversation when he's not even presence. He calls me "muffin" as well - it's actually really upsetting for me when he calls me by my name, and when I use his name it doesn't feel right... like talking to someone and then realizing you're looking at a cardboard cutout.

Mostly for people I have to refer to by name, I call them "The ____". Like "The Joshie" or "The Scott." My cats are "The Fluffy," "The Dumb," and various other adjectives. I usually refer to strangers by their relationship to me or to someone close to me.

Right now I'm facing a really difficult challenge. I just got married, and I can't take his last name. Nobody is being very understanding about it. I tell them "I won't remember it," and they think I'm joking, or that "it's not me," and they think I'm just exaggerating because it'll take awhile to get used to. I can't make them understand that there is NO getting used to it for me. My name is my name and the only other name I'll accept is Eialune. I think of Eialune as my soul-name; it's the only thing to call myself that actually feels like it refers to me and not my body.